Elder: Difference between revisions

<!-- interlanguage:start -->[[ko:장로]]<!-- interlanguage:end -->The role and status of '''elders''' have varied across different time periods: In the Old Testament times, Elders were leaders of the Israelite tribes, chosen for their wisdom and virtue. During [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]]’ time, elders were religious leaders of Judaism, often members of the [[Sanhedrin]] (Jewish ruling council). In the early Church, the term ''elder'' referred to a title given under the grace of the Holy Spirit to those spiritually mature and capable of teaching and leading the believers.

The Hebrew word ''Zaqen'' (זָקֵן),<ref>[https://www.studylight.org/lexicons/eng/hebrew/2205.html Strong's #2205 – זָקֵן], ''StudyLight.org''</ref> translated as “elder” in the [[The Old Testament|Old Testament]], originates from the word ''Zaqan'' (זָקָן),<ref>[https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2206.htm Strong's Hebrew: 2206. זָקָן], ''Bible Hub''</ref> meaning “beard.”<ref>[https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2205.htm Strong's Hebrew: 2205. זָקֵן], ''Bible Hub''</ref> Initially, ''Zaqen'' referred simply to an older person, but over time it came to mean tribal elders who led the Israelite tribes—patriarchs (heads of clans) who held influence within their families, as well as city leaders who governed and represented their communities.

During the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to Canaan, the elders played a key role in guiding the people alongside Moses.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3%3A18&version=NIV |title=Exodus 3:18 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+12%3A21&version=NIV |title=Exodus 12:21 |quote= }}</ref> After the [[The Exodus|Exodus]], seventy elders were appointed to assist Moses throughout the [[Life in the Desert|wilderness journey]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+24%3A1&version=NIV |title=Exodus 24:1 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+11%3A16-17&version=NIV |title=Numbers 11:16–17 |quote= }}</ref> Their leadership also extended into religious practices: When the whole assembly sinned against [[God]]’s command and became aware of their guilt, the elders laid their hands on a young bull before the Tent of Meeting, slaughtered it, and gave its blood to the anointed [[priest]] for the [[Sacrifices in the Old Testament#Sin Offering|sin offering]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+4%3A15&version=NIV |title=Leviticus 4:15 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+9%3A1-2&version=NIV |title=Leviticus 9:1–2 |quote= }}</ref> Once the Israelites settled in Canaan, the elders continued to function as city representatives, managing administrative, judicial, and other public affairs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+21%3A1-2&version=NIV |title=Deuteronomy 21:1–2 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+21%3A18-21&version=NIV |title=Deuteronomy 21:18–21 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+4%3A9&version=NIV |title=Ruth 4:9 |quote= }}</ref>

After the establishment of the monarchy, the authority of the elders was somewhat reduced, but they continued to hold significant roles as representatives of the people. They participated in the appointment of kings<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+3%3A17-18&version=NIV |title=2 Samuel 3:17–18 |quote= }}</ref> and served as royal advisors.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+12%3A6-7&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 12:6–7 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+20%3A7-8&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 20:7–8 |quote= }}</ref> During [[Solomon]]’s reign, the elders were involved in the transfer of the [[Ark of the Covenant|ark of the covenant]] to the [[temple]] in [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+8%3A1-11&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 8:1–11 |quote= }}</ref> The elder system persisted through the [[Babylonian Captivity#Babylonian Captivity|Babylonian exile]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29%3A1&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 29:1 |quote= }}</ref> Following the return from exile, the elders took the lead in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+5%3A2-5&version=NIV |title=Ezra 5:2–5 |quote= }}</ref> and supported the prophet [[Ezra (Bible)|Ezra]]<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ezra-Hebrew-religious-leader Ezra], ''Britannica''</ref> in guiding the people toward repentance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+10%3A8%2C&version=NIV |title=Ezra 10:8, 14 |quote= }}</ref> However, not all elders remained faithful—some were rebuked by God for oppressing the people or leading them astray.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+3%3A14-15&version=NIV |title=Isaiah 3:14–15 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A13&version=NIV |title=Isaiah 9:13 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+8%3A11-12&version=NIV |title=Ezekiel 8:11–12 |quote= }}</ref>

*[[Overseer (Episkopos)]]